Motorists who use Meridian Street as part of their daily commute will need to prepare for on-and-off road closures for the rest of the year and beyond as IndyGo’s Red Line Project begins to take shape.

Phase 1 of the $96.3 million Red Line construction project stretches 13 miles from Broad Ripple to the University of Indianapolis and should be completed by next summer, according to IndyGo officials.

The work began in early June on Shelby Street and progressed north to Meridian Street between 18th and 38th streets this week. Because of the project, traffic on Meridian will be restricted to one lane in each direction.

Work along Shelby Street will be underway through winter 2018, and Capitol Street will see improvements between fall 2018 and spring 2019.

The posted construction schedule does not include relocation of utilities that may happen any time throughout the construction process. IndyGo said additional detailed schedules within each segment will be provided no less than three weeks in advance of construction activities.

Upcoming Red Line construction on College Avenue set to run from winter 2018 to spring 2019 will result in traffic shifting to Central Avenue. In preparation, the Department of Public Works last week added five speed tables — elongated and flattened speed humps — to various points on Central Avenue.

DPW also plans to temporarily convert several four-way stop intersections on Central Avenue to two-way stops once Red Line construction begins in an effort to improve traffic flow.

The Red Line is slated to become the first of three all-electric rapid bus routes in Indianapolis. It will be followed by the Purple Line, which will run from 38th and Meridian streets to Lawrence, and the Blue Line, which will stretch from Cumberland to Indianapolis International Airport.

The Red Line will run on a dedicated path, stopping at raised platforms similar to light rail stations. Buses are expected to arrive at stops every 10 to 15 minutes between Broad Ripple and the University of Indianapolis.

IndyStar reporter Billy Kobin contributed to this story. Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at 317-444-6138 or email him at justin.mack@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.